The Sirens of Thayra

The beam point was chosen outside a barn in an abandoned farm. The group included the Captain, Spock, Doctor McCoy, Lieutenant Sulu, Tria, and Ensign Roberts from security. Kirk instructed the team to keep their tools hidden until they were inside the city and could determine if using them would be prudent or not. Few people traveled the road they walked on, but they spotted a few farmhands on their way toward the north gate. The gate was preceded by a large bridge that brought them over the river to the east side, where the northernmost sector of the city lay. Spock pointed out that the city walls extended even over the river channels, permanently mapping its flow through he metropolis.

“They look sturdy,” said Kirk. “Well maintained, too.” He pointed to an area of the wall where metal scaffolds grew like vines along the heavy stone. Men could be seen on every level, repairing and replacing bad stones.

“Such a structure,” Tria remarked, “is a very heavy defense. Usually walls like this aren't maintained unless there is risks of further attacks.”

Kirk considered the walls, then said; “We'll want to be cautious then, if these people are on the defensive.”

As they reached the city gates, they encountered two city guards dressed in light armor and armed with strange spears. They regarded the group suspiciously. One sidestepped and said, “From where do you hail, traders?”

Kirk stood at the lead, and was ready with an answer. “We are from the north, looking for prospective business ventures in this city.”

The guard's eyes narrowed, looking at him suspiciously. “You are from the north?”

The other spoke up, “What clan do you serve?”

Unprepared Kirk, looked back at his crew. “We currently serve no clan, but we will loyally serve yours.”

Still looking suspicious, he looked the group over. He seemed to find something that satisfied his curiosity, because he let them pass. They walked quickly out of hearing range, deeper into the city. Spock walked up to Kirk. “Captain, the guards seem to be contacting their superiors.” They glanced back at the gate, where they saw the man using a communications panel on the inside of the gate.

“Hopefully we don't get into too much trouble,” said Kirk. “Sulu, Roberts; I want an analysis of their technology as soon as possible.” He motioned down a side street and had them all duck into an empty alcove. The team took out their tricorders and started scanning the area. Roberts stood at the street to keep watch.

Spock held up his instrument, “Power sources are nuclear, however their use is .. unique.”

“Captain, I'm picking up a number of vehicles, but they are all on the ground,” said Sulu. “There are also a number of facilities in that direction that are emitting a great deal of energy.”

“Let's check it out,” said the Captain.

They hid their tricorders and scanners again and ventured back out into the street, heading toward Sulu's readings. The group came upon an industrial area, where men were pushing hovercarts filled with mechanical parts from one building to another in neat little lines. They tried to walk casually down the sidewalk, approaching a large opening in the side of one of the buildings that appeared to be a garage. Inside, men were gathered around a small vehicle, two of them holding up a large piece of metal while the third welded it to the side.

Kirk turned to Spock and Sulu, “Opinions, gentlemen?”

“It looks like a repair garage, Captain,” said Sulu.

“I agree,” said Spock. “I noticed a line of vehicles behind a fence we passed. These men are maintenance personnel.”

Kirk put his hands on his hips, looking around the garage from where they stood at the entrance. “I'd like to get a closer look at their vehicle technologies. Still no sign of any flying machinery.”

Spock nodded. “Indeed. They have eliminated the use of the wheel and replaced it with anti-gravity devices, but nothing to indicate they have an interest in flight.”

“Tria,” Kirk said. She nearby, watching the men at work discretely behind a windowed door at the side of the garage. “Have you ever heard of such advanced cultures that have achieved anti-gravity and nuclear power without achieving flight?”

“No,” she said slowly. “It's very strange. They have a heavy use of scaffolding and cranes for building. Nothing like Federation planets use to build large structures today.” She glanced up at the glossy gray buildings that loomed above them, ranging from five to nine stories tall. “I would have to say it might be a cultural thing. We would to find out more about their history before I could give you a definite answer for why they haven't moved on to spaceflight at this stage.”

The Captain opened his mouth to say something else, but a fourth man came out of the garage, spotted them, and began walking toward them. “Is there something I could help you with, brothers? You are a long way from the farmlands.” He looked over their simple garb, which had been based off the simple cut yet colorfully dyed clothing common in the outer provinces.

Caught off guard, Kirk tried to use the same excuse he had used on the guards. “We are clanless, brother, not from this area. My companions and I hoped to find refuge with your own clan and seek jobs in the city.”

“Thayra-Lossa welcomes you,” he said. “However, you will have to be registered with Hathra's Spire before you can work in our part of the city.”

“I see,” said Kirk slowly.

The man squinted at Kirk suspiciously, “I doubt that farmers will have much luck finding jobs in this sector. We are all specifically trained for this work. Most likely the Mothers will put you back in the farmland unless you can prove you would be more useful elsewhere.”

“We have knowledge further than farming,” said Kirk confidently. He was hoping to get inside the garage so that his men could have a closer look at their technology. “We merely have worked our way across the landscape to get here.” He paused, gaging the other's reaction. The man seemed to be softening, so he said, “I am Kirk.”

The man smiled, clasping a fist over his chest. “And I am Mayl. I am manager of this maintenance facility. Tell me, from where did you escape?”

“Escape?”

“Well, yes. Where was your clan before you left and came to seek the great alliance at Thayra-Lossa?”

“Ah,” Kirk said, caught again. “We came from the north, though we do not like to speak of our past. It was … unpleasant.”

The man nodded respectfully. “I understand.” Kirk's gamble with his lack of information had been successful.

“Mayl,” said Kirk, “What sort of maintenance do you do here? Some of us are knowledgeable in engineering....”

He turned to his men who were finishing their welding. “We are responsible for car upkeep and provide upgrades as they are ordered. To work here, though, you would have to be assigned. There is no freedom to work where you please here. I've heard it is so in other clans, but the council in Thayra-Lossa are careful where they assign us. You are only put where you will be of most use to the clans.”

Tria was listening behind Spock and McCoy while she watched the men work, trying to decide what level of technological advancement their tools were, just through observation. Though, something about what Mayl said caught her attention. She stepped around McCoy to stand near Spock, a quizzical look on her face. “Pardon me,” she said, “but did you say clans? Are there more than one in Thayra-Lossa?”

Mayl's face turned pale and his eyes widened. “Y-yes, my lady.”

“How many?”

“Three.” Mayl continued to stammer. “Hathra, Katre, and Tataya. The alliance here has lasted almost a century.”

Kirk frowned at Mayl's sudden change in attitude. “Perhaps, you could still show us around? It has been a long journey. A short rest before we venture further into the city would be welcome. Then we will be on our way to the spire to register with you leaders.”

Mayl looked back at Kirk, still shaken. “Of course. We have some food we could offer you, if you are hungry. It is not much.”

Kirk thanked him and the group followed Mayl inside, while Roberts dutifully stayed by the door, keeping a lookout for trouble. Sulu introduced himself to the men working on the car and asked them some questions about the engine. Spock joined in the conversation, leaving Kirk, McCoy, and Tria to follow Mayl into the office area.

Mayl pulled some dry flat bread out of a cupboard and set it on the table for them. He then heated up some very spicy smelling wine and apologized as he served it to them for their meager refreshments. “I think I might have some sweetmeats in the back,” he said, excusing himself and disappearing into another room.

McCoy immediately turned to Tria, “You've got that man more on edge than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

Tria looked apologetic, yet lost. “I don't know why.”They all glanced over to see Spock and Sulu enter the room. Sulu picked up some of the bread, took a bite, and winced. “I get the feeling he's afraid of me, but I don't know why.”

“Well we had better find out. No offense, but I can't risk you endangering this survey,” said Kirk.

“If it turns out that will be the case, I'll return to the ship.”

“Captain,” said Spock.. “Have you noticed anything unusual about the city thus far?” Kirk shook his head, wondering why Spock bothered to ask him if he was going to tell him anyway. “I have observed a distinct lack of a female presence in the city.”

“Maybe they all work in the homes,” said McCoy.

“Not likely, Doctor. You'll recall that Mayl referenced Mothers being in charge of work assignments. I suspect that the women are in charge of their government here.”

Tria shook her head. “That doesn't explain why they would fear women. Unless...”

Mayl came back into the room empty handed. “My greatest apologies. It seems that we ate all the meats earlier today.” He poured hot wine into two more cups and passed them to Spock and Sulu. Sulu smelled the wine, taking a cautious sip. Spock simply held the cup, not interested in drinking the wine. Mayl clasped his hands together, looking at them uneasily. “I can give you directions around the city, if you want.”

“That would be very helpful,” said Kirk. He stood up, getting the feeling they were overstaying their welcome.

Kirk followed Mayl out. McCoy followed, giving Tria a playful look suggesting that the discomfort was her fault.

“Lieutenant,” Spock said to Sulu after Mayl was out of earshot. “I suggest we take a moment to examine their computers before we leave.” He gave a meaningful nod towards the small computer console and desk that sat behind a half-wall partition. Sulu followed Spock discretely over to the computer. They started to work calibrating their tricorders to download the data stored on the computer. Sulu looked up every few seconds to see if they were clear, but Tria stood at the door to watch their backs as well.

As they worked, Tria watched Mayl point down the street, talking to Kirk and McCoy. Suddenly, Mayl's hands went to his mouth in shock and fear. They all heard the bellowing horn outside and Tria knew that whatever it was, it had the man scared for his life. She turned to Spock and Sulu, who both looked back at her position by the door. Spock motioned for Sulu to continue working and joined her in the frame. They spotted the men who worked in the garage disappear out the back, seemingly wise enough to stay away from the storm brewing.

Soon a large caravan came into view. Men dressed in elaborate armor carrying the same foreboding spears as the other guards marched in front of the hovering palanquin, navigated by attendants but held up by anti-gravity technology. As the caravan stopped in front of the garage, a plainly dressed woman standing at the side of the litter slid a collapsible set of steps out of the bottom of the structure. The steps in place, she opened the curtains and stepped aside.

The woman that stepped out was elaborately dressed. Bangles, beads, and braids framed the fitted leathery armor she wore. While the armor made her appear hard and formidable, the sheer sparkling fabric that draped from her arms and about her hips made her alluring as well. She stood with her chin high and a cruel look on her face. When she snapped her head around to regard Mayl she sneered and pointed a sharp finger at him.

“Why did you not report these outsiders to the Spire?!”

Mayl collapsed to the ground. “I am sorry Matron Hathra! Forgive me! I swear I was sending them to the Hathra Spire as you arrived!”

Hathra stepped over to where Mayl knelt on the ground. She pinched his chin and tilted his head up to meet her gaze. “Tell me again,” she said. Her voice became velvet, but ominous. The Starfleet officers behind him flinch and back away dizzily.

“I...I was giving them directions to the Spire so that they could be properly claimed by the Hathra clan.” Mayl's response was slow and automatic.

Hathra smiled crookedly and turned on Kirk, McCoy, and Roberts. Dazed but alert, the security officer had his hands in the small leather pouch where his phaser was hidden, ready for action. Kirk held up a hand, signaling that he wanted no trouble. “I apologize if we have offended you, madam. We did not wish to bring trouble into your city.”

Hathra seemed to not hear him. “Where is your Matron, man?”

“We do not have one.”

Inside the door frame Tria sucked in air through her teeth. Spock glanced down at her, wondering what Kirk had done wrong that Tria knew was a mistake.

“Good!” The Matron strode quickly to Kirk, a hand extended as though ready to grab him.

Roberts drew his phaser out saying, “Stop!”

Hathra stopped, but it was not truly obedient. She shouted something alien to her guards and pointed at him. The spear men charged at the Ensign, blocking his way from the Matron and coming at him with their weapons. Roberts fired and before Kirk or McCoy could react one of the guards shoved the tip of his spear into the young man. The wound was shallow, but fatal. As soon as the metal tip was embedded into his flesh Roberts convulsed and screamed, green and white electric arcs swarming over his body. The guards stepped back quickly, moving to the Matron's side in a heartbeat.

The Doctor rushed to the man's side, checking his pulse. He couldn't touch his neck to see, getting a nasty shock when he tried. He hovered the back of his hand over the man's mouth. When he found he was not breathing, he gave his captain a grim look.

“Why?” Kirk demanded. “He meant no harm.”

The woman attendant who stood by the palanquin shouted the answer; “He threatened a high Matron of Thayra-Lossa! The punishment is immediate death!”

“He only did it because he perceived a threat from you!” Kirk shouted, furious at the death of his crewman.

“It makes no difference, male,” said Hathra. “Our word is law. You should know that. Foolish freemen.” Her voice slowly sank back into the deep lulling tone as she began to approach him again. She held out her hand again, palm up, saying, “I will claim you, then you will be obedient.” Guards grabbed Kirk and McCoy by their arms, holding them still.

Spock started to move to intervene, but Tria grabbed his arm. “No,” she whispered. He could sense the fear and concern in her grip. He knew that she was afraid she would loose him if he tried to help his crew.

“I must,” he said firmly. Sulu was at their side now, watching with them the confrontation going on outside. “Lieutenant, stay with our anthropologist.”

Spock strode quickly to the group, immediately noticed by the woman attendant and the guards. Hathra distracted by whatever alien power she was trying to use on Kirk, Spock tried to dodge two of the men blocking his way. One slapped Spock across the back with the length of his spear, the blow electrocuting him. The Vulcan fell to the ground, stunned but still conscious. Tria didn't get one step out the door before Sulu had a grip on her shoulder, stopping her from getting involved.

“I want the rest of them alive!” Screamed Hathra. She had Kirk's face cradled him her hand now and Kirk wavered strangely where he stood, as if he were drunk. The Matron began to mutter something to Kirk and the air felt heavy. Tria thought she could smell something sickly sweet and when she looked back at Sulu he had a strange look on his face. She could see that he, too, was in a daze now and unable to react.

Hathra extended her other hand, a long nail protruding from her finger. She cut into Kirk's forehead with it, a bubbling green liquid mixing with his blood as she did. As she stepped back, releasing his face, the captain fell back onto the ground. McCoy shouted obscenities at the woman and one of her guards slapped him on the back with his spear. The shock put him hard on the ground and unlike Spock he was out.

“Sulu,” Tria hissed. She slapped the man hard across the face. It didn't seem to do much good, so she grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. He blinked and looked at her, utterly confused. “We have to do something!”

“I don't...” he said slowly, unable to finish the thought.

She watched Spock try to get up, the guards restraining him as he did, threatening him with their spears. “Give me your damn phaser then!” She was shouting now, a mistake.

The female attendant looked in her direction, pointing. Hathra spun around and started into the garage, two guards following behind her. The darkened garage only partially concealed them where they stood, but soon Hathra was staring her down with a furious, shocked expression. “Who are you?” Tria did not know what to do. She looked at Sulu, who was gazing longingly at the Matron. The woman took a threatening step closer to her, indicating that her patience was running out.

“Tria,” she answered quietly.

“You are also an outsider, maiden. What clan are you from. Are you a spy?”

“No,” she said. “I'm not a spy. None of us are. We are just visitors. We did not know your customs. Forgive us, please.”

Hathra's eyes bored into Tria like the welding guns that sat on the table behind her. The woman looked angry, yet something was holding her back from exacting her rage on Tria. “Take her to the Central Spire,” Hathra commanded. “Find her and her male a room there. I must confer with the other Matrons about what to do with this one.”

Tria and Sulu were pulled out of the doorway by the guards, who walked them out into the street and to the center of the city. In the street a small car like the one Mayl and his men were working on had arrived. Kirk, McCoy, and Spock were being carried into the car.

“Wait,” Tria called. “What about them?”

Hathra scowled. “They are mine now, maiden. Be grateful I did not take them all.” The Matron swept into her litter and was quickly pushed the opposite way, the car containing the Enterprise's three senior officers following close behind.